Chinese Peacock-Pheasant – Hand-Colored Bird Engraving by Edwards & Seligmann, c.1750–1776
This fine hand-colored engraving depicts the Chinese Peacock-Pheasant (Phasianus alis et caudâ oculatis), an exotic species admired in Europe for its ornate plumage. The bird is shown perched gracefully on a flowering branch, its feathers marked with striking blue and green eye-like spots. Decorative peonies frame the composition, enhancing the print’s ornamental character.
The engraving bears multilingual titles: “Der chinesische Phasanenpfau” (German), “Le Paon-Phaisan de la Chine” (French), and the Latin classification Phasianus, alis et caudâ, oculatis. At the lower left, the note G. Edwards ad viv. delin. credits the original life drawing...
Category
1770s Antique German Furniture